Washington Senate passes legislation to ban sale of high-capacity magazines …

[Skookum]

For purposes of enforcement, "import" will mean what the bill defines it to mean, not what it typically means.  Just as "large capacity magazine" will refer mostly to what are actually standard capacity magazines.  The bill contains an extensive section with definitions.


In WA, if a word in a statute is not defined, then the definition in Black's Law Dictionary is applied.  If the word is not defined in Black's Law, then the definition in a specifed version of Webster's Dictionary is used.  For this impendng statute, "import" is defined, so any other useage is irrelevant.


The bill bans "distribution," which is not defined.  But, it seems to ban gifting or handing down any LCM to an heir after July 1. Thus, all LCMs in the state will eventually be sold out of state, be permanently modified to hold no more than 10 rounds, or be scrapped (if the law is followed).

[BBF97]

Does this bill grandfather existing magazines? Does it ban distribution of magazine parts? These answers will determine much.

[Skookum]

Does this bill grandfather existing magazines? Does it ban distribution of magazine parts? These answers will determine much.

I may keep my existing LCMs.  However, as of July 1 I cannot distribute them to another within the state.

As to parts regulation, Section 1 defines LCM as:


(35) "Large capacity magazine" means an ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition, or any conversion kit, part, or combination of parts, from which such a device can be assembled if those parts are in possession of or under the control of the same person … .

"Distribute" is defined as:


(37) "Distribute" means to give out, provide, make available, or deliver a firearm or large capacity magazine to any person in this state, with or without consideration, whether the distributor is in-state or out-of-state. "Distribute" includes, but is not limited to, filling orders placed in this state, online or otherwise. "Distribute" also includes causing a firearm or large capacity magazine to be delivered in this state.


I wonder if I will be lawfully able to obtain replacement springs.

[crosstimbers]

For purposes of enforcement, "import" will mean what the bill defines it to mean, not what it typically means.  Just as "large capacity magazine" will refer mostly to what are actually standard capacity magazines.  The bill contains an extensive section with definitions.


In WA, if a word in a statute is not defined, then the definition in Black's Law Dictionary is applied.  If the word is not defined in Black's Law, then the definition in a specifed version of Webster's Dictionary is used.  For this impendng statute, "import" is defined, so any other useage is irrelevant.


The bill bans "distribution," which is not defined.  But, it seems to ban gifting or handing down any LCM to an heir after July 1. Thus, all LCMs in the state will eventually be sold out of state, be permanently modified to hold no more than 10 rounds, or be scrapped (if the law is followed).

Well, that certainly stinks.

Best of luck. A lesson to all of us, it can happen where we live too.....